AGP Executive Report

Volcano Watch: USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists used rare older rock exposures at Kīlauea’s 2018 summit collapse to piece together the volcano’s long eruptive history, since most of Kīlauea is covered by young lava. Local Land Use: Hawaii County’s termination of the Punaluu Black Sand Beach Park lease is being challenged by the company’s attorney, who says the county’s account is wrong and points to proposed extensions and a conservation easement idea. Reef Recovery & Insurance: Hurricane Lala triggered The Nature Conservancy’s coral reef insurance policy for the first time, funding rapid assessment and repair planning statewide. Aquarium Fishing: The Board of Land and Natural Resources delayed a decision on reopening aquarium fishing after hours of public testimony, with many urging a ban. Community & Environment: DLNR is seeking volunteers to remove invasive red mangroves at Kailua’s Kawainui Marsh to restore waterways and habitat. Health & Safety: Honolulu EMS is accepting applications for an EMT academy on Oʻahu, with pay and a pathway also offered for dispatcher roles. Sports: Rainbow Wahine volleyball won their first regular-season match under new coach Joshua Walker, beating Georgia Southern 3-1. Weather & Tropics: Tropical Storm Lowell continues tracking west toward the Central Pacific, with timing and impacts for Hawaiʻi still uncertain.

Local Water Safety: Maui County says trace selenium was detected in Kaunakakai’s water system, with follow-up results far below drinking standards, and officials will keep monitoring. Elections & Courts: Hawaii Supreme Court upheld rulings that Honolulu Council Chair Tommy Waters is ineligible for another term, ending a tight legal fight over the city’s term limits. Hawaii Politics: The court also ordered Waters’ opponents to appear on the general election ballot after primary ballot complications. Hawaii & Space: UH Mānoa researchers are playing a key role in NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope mission, from camera technology to science tools. Hawaii Sports: Hawaii opens its Week 0 season at Stanford, with analysts leaning toward a lower-scoring game. Hawaii Health & Economy: Hawaii’s July unemployment rate rose to 2.7%, while the CDC reports COVID-19 activity is increasing nationwide but still very low overall, including “moderate” levels in Hawaii. Kaua‘i Wildlife: Kaua‘i County honored the last known wild ‘akikiki, Pakele, with a proclamation.

Hurricane Lala School Recovery: Hawai‘i’s Department of Education says Kau High and Pahala Elementary will reopen Monday, with Naalehu Elementary transitioning students back next week to a temporary location as crews finish flood and debris repairs. Energy Resilience Funding: The state secured $18.5M in federal money for electric grid hardening, backing $25M in projects across O‘ahu, Hawai‘i Island and Maui to reduce wildfire, flooding and hurricane risks. Tourism Watch: July visitor days fell 13.1% to 6.71 million as average stays dropped to 7.59 days, even as arrivals and spending rose slightly. Local Sports: Hawaii Pacific opened with a 3-0 loss to UT Dallas, while Rainbow Wahine volleyball previews spotlight Cha’lei Reid, Miliana Sylvester and coach Joshua Walker ahead of the season. Legal Dispute Over Punalu‘u Park: Black Sand Beach LLC’s attorney disputes the county’s account of the Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach Park lease termination and says the company didn’t end the lease, while the county says park services will cease. Pro Bowl Update: The NFL ended the Pro Bowl game but will still honor selected players after the season.

Tourism Numbers: DBEDT reports July 2026 visitor spending hit $1.99B (+1.7%) with 883,248 visitors (+1.1%), though stays shortened to 7.59 days (-14.1%). State Parks: Oʻahu’s Kaʻena Point Keawaʻula section closes for road work until Sept. 4, then reopens Sept. 5 (beach access still limited). Local Environment Planning: DLNR is taking public input on a 10-year management plan for the Puaʻahala section of Molokaʻi State Forest Reserve, with a new online engagement platform. Native Species Milestone: Kaua‘i County honored Pakele, the last known wild ‘akikiki, after her disappearance in 2025. Community & Culture: Polynesian Voyaging Society inducted six new Pwo navigators, including Hawaii’s first women to earn the title. Sports & Entertainment: North Shore duo Nyjah Music & Zyah Rhythm advanced on America’s Got Talent; Hawaii is cheering as they chase semifinals. Real Estate: A rare South Maui oceanfront listing pairs two homes at Mākena Road for $45M.

Meta Youth Safety Settlement: Meta agreed to pay up to $17.1B and impose new limits on teen use of Facebook and Instagram, with Hawaii set to receive up to $80.7M for child-safety changes. Local Higher Ed: University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel withdrew an interim free-speech “time, place and manner” policy for all 10 campuses, reverting to 2014 guidelines while talks continue. Hawaiʻi Sports: UH football QB Micah Alejado is profiled ahead of the season, while Rainbow Wahine volleyball begins the Joshua Walker era with opening matches. Community & Safety: A Kokua Line explainer warns that “IRS texts” can be scams, but the IRS may text if you opted in—check before clicking or sharing info. State Watch: Hawaii officials pushed back on rumors of a dam breach on Hawaiʻi Island during Hurricane Lala, saying the Keaiwa Reservoir remains intact and empty. Defense & Tech: Saildrone’s unmanned vessel conducted live-fire missile tests off Hawaii during RIMPAC 2026.

Meta Child-Safety Settlement: Hawaii is set to receive up to $76 million from a $17.1 billion multistate settlement with Meta, which requires sweeping protections for users under 18 on Instagram and Facebook, including daily time limits, nighttime blocks, limits on school-hour push notifications, stronger age checks, and safer content controls. Local Consumer Protection: Hawaiʻi officials also warned residents about misleading door-to-door solar sales, saying the state doesn’t offer free solar systems and doesn’t send employees to cold-call or knock on doors. Disaster Response: Team Rubicon expanded its Hawaiʻi disaster relief after Hurricane Lala, adding more volunteers on Oʻahu, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island for debris removal and chainsaw work. Community & Culture: Honolulu’s Department of Environmental Services will hold public meetings starting Sept. 2 on Oʻahu’s wastewater and storm-water Integrated Plan. Sports: The NFL ended the Pro Bowl as a game, keeping only Pro Bowl honors and shifting celebrations into Super Bowl week in Los Angeles.

Kīlauea Update: Episode 54 of summit lava fountaining at Halemaʻumaʻu ended after 9 hours, with the alert level lowered from WATCH to ADVISORY and aviation code from ORANGE to YELLOW; tephra and “Pele’s hair” were reported downwind, and Civil Defense urged precautions for ash-sensitive areas. Local Courts: The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court heard arguments on whether Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters can run again for the East Honolulu seat; a ruling is expected by Friday and could reshape the Nov. 3 matchup. Hawaiian Homesteads: Kamaki Kanahele, a key leader in the Hawaiian homestead movement and founder of health initiatives in Waianae, died at 81. UH Sports: UH named Ikaika Aki as the new women’s water polo coach from Loyola Marymount, and UH football will debut a Hawaiian Airlines Pualani patch on jerseys for the Stanford game. Public Safety: HPD is piloting drones as first responders to 911 calls, while the Hawaii Police Department says it’s still reviewing options. Hurricane Lala Aftermath: Settlement spares Hawaii Job Corps center closures, reversing a 2025 push to shut down 99 centers nationwide. Maui Harbor Crime: Boaters at Maalaea Harbor are calling for more security after recent thefts from vessels.

Road Safety Update: Hawaii’s expanded “Slow Down, Move Over” law (Act 95) now covers all stationary roadside vehicles, including tow operators and stranded drivers, with officials highlighting the death of a tow worker and urging people to report violations. Public Lands: Vandals chopped down at least 10 trees in the ʻEwa Forest Reserve above Wahiawā, leaving splintered trunks and a bench that suggests a planned viewpoint. Shipping Innovation: Hawaii Car Transport launched scheduled air cargo between Los Angeles and Honolulu, cutting vehicle delivery from weeks by ship to about 4–5 days. Local Business: Tatiana Pizza opened a new Cherrydale location with 32-inch pies and Italian-American favorites. Tourism/Golf: Play Hawaiʻi Golf brings 12 top courses across five islands together to market Hawaii as one world-class golf destination. National/Global Watch: A Canadian-American yachtsman indicted in Hawaii for alleged child sexual exploitation was arrested in British Columbia. Sports: Week 0 college football is underway, with Hawaii-related coverage including a Week 0 preview featuring Hawaii’s test game.

Election 2026: Hawaii’s GOP primary races for state House District 43 and state Senate District 20 both ended in ties, now headed to a Hawaii Supreme Court fight over how one tie was drawn—while the editorial argues the fix should be special elections instead of lot draws. Hurricane Lala recovery: Ka‘u coffee growers report major losses as Moke’s remnants move on, and Hilo’s Waiakea Villas still lacks power after more than 10 days due to a transformer issue, leaving elderly residents struggling. Courts & elections: The Hawaii Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on Tommy Waters’ election eligibility, a decision that could determine who faces in November. Local sports: UH quarterback Micah Alejado and two Hawaii-area standouts made the Manning Award watch list; UH freshman Olivia Dianda earned Mountain West Freshman of the Week after scoring twice at the OUTRIGGER Invitational. Honolulu micromobility: Honolulu moves to keep mopeds out of bike lanes and cap sidewalk e-bikes at 10 mph. Business: American Savings Bank filed to pursue an IPO, aiming to list on the NYSE under ASBH.

Hurricane Lala recovery & storm readiness: Tropical Storm Moke is still threatening Hawaiʻi with heavy rain and flood risk as Big Island crews work through restoration and shelters prepare for possible impacts. Local safety: Honolulu EMS responded to a serious e-bike crash in Waipahu where a 6-year-old boy was hurt after an e-bike lost control; neither rider was wearing a helmet. Health & policy: Lawmakers are urging action to suspend Medicaid terminations for disaster-affected residents, highlighting how paperwork and portal access can derail coverage during emergencies. Environment: Hawaiʻi’s first parametric coral reef insurance payout has been triggered by Hurricane Lala, underscoring how climate risk is now translating into real payments. Community response: The Salvation Army and local partners are helping nourish and support Hawaiʻi areas hit by Lala power outages. Business & tourism: Hilton named a new managing director for Grand Wailea Maui, signaling continued investment in Maui’s hospitality rebound.

Tropical Storm Moke: Hawaii Island is getting heavy rain and gusty winds after Hurricane Lala, with officials warning of continued flood risk and power-restoration delays; Moke has weakened to a tropical depression but still threatens through Monday. Power & recovery: Hawaiian Electric reports power restored to about 3,200 customers on Hawaiʻi Island, with thousands still in the dark as crews work hardest-hit areas. Local courts: Honolulu’s City Council term-limit fight over Chair Tommy Waters heads to the Hawaii Supreme Court, with voters saying the process left them disenfranchised. Economy: Hawaii’s unemployment rate rose to 2.7% in July, the highest since late 2024, signaling a cooling labor market. UH research: UH secured $647.3 million in extramural funding for FY2026, its second-highest total on record. Public safety & community: A letter urges hikers to pay rescue fees and fines, while another calls for community-first leadership. Investigations & health: Civil Beat is launching a new series on meth in Hawaiʻi, tied to a UH study showing many overdose deaths involved ice. Environment: A call urges the state to keep native reef fish on Hawaii reefs, opposing commercial aquarium collection.

Tropical Storm Moke: Hawaii is bracing for another round of heavy rain and gusty winds as Moke passes close enough to bring impacts over the next day or two, with the storm center around 320 miles south-southwest of Hilo and forecast to pass south of the Big Island today before moving farther south early next week. Emergency Preparedness: Honolulu and state health officials are urging residents to stay off roads, protect against floodwater hazards, prevent mold and carbon monoxide risks during outages, and keep medications and charged devices ready. After Hurricane Lala: Oahu emergency managers say most power issues are resolved but saturated ground and unstable trees/roofs mean even “less intense” conditions could still cause damage, while Big Island flood risk remains elevated where Lala already hit. Local Recovery Accountability: Maui residents in Nāhiku say the Lower Nāhiku bridge was wiped out by Lala and they can’t find who owns or must rebuild it—leaving them trapped and demanding answers. Community & Culture: Molokai Farmers are graduating apprentices from the Farm Apprentice Mentorship Program, and the Oskie Rice Memorial Rodeo returns Oct. 23-25 at Kaonoulu Ranch for its 110th anniversary.

Tropical Storm Moke: Winds weakened slightly to about 45 mph, but the Big Island still faces a Flood Watch and heavy rain risk (5–10 inches, locally higher) plus gusty trade winds and possible mudslides, especially in areas hit by Hurricane Lala. Storm response: Hawaiʻi County says all emergency shelters will open Saturday night, with pet-friendly rules and hot showers at one site; Hawaiian Electric reports thousands still without power on Hawaiʻi Island and is updating restoration estimates as rain and access issues affect crews. Local help after Lala: A Kokua Line column points Oʻahu residents to 2-1-1/Aloha United Way and the Key Project for free cleanup and chainsaw assistance where available. Education & community: Hawaii schools will add a plant-based lunch option statewide; separate columns highlight student learning beyond the classroom and the strain on Hawaii’s social safety net as demand for help rises. Politics & accountability: Lawmakers debate whether Hawaii’s election tie-breaker should stay a random draw. Sports: UH soccer earned its first win of the season, beating Idaho 2-0, and Moanalua girls volleyball won the Hawaii Invitational. Animals: The Humane Society says it has taken in 217 pets since Lala, with only 14 reunited so far.

Tropical Storm Moke: Hawai‘i is bracing for heavy rain and gusty winds as Moke tracks south of the islands, with a Flood Watch and Wind Advisory still in effect for the Big Island; forecasters warn of life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in windward and southeast areas already saturated after Hurricane Lala. Storm Response & Recovery: The state activated a Joint Information Center for Moke media inquiries, while Hawai‘i National Guard response to Lala has wrapped on O‘ahu and Kaua‘i but continues in Hawai‘i County and Maui County. Power & Transparency: Frustration is growing among Hawaiian Electric customers on Hawai‘i Island, with thousands still without power a week after Lala and residents saying they can’t get clear answers on restoration timelines. Healthcare in Ka‘ū: Hawaiʻi Island Community Health Center is bringing care back to Nā‘ālehu with a mobile clinic after storm damage left its Ka‘ū facility unsafe and without reliable power/connectivity. Local Water Planning: Maui County is weighing costly desalination plans as demand for water rises. Consumer Alert: Mercedes-Benz owners in Hawai‘i have until Aug. 31 to schedule eligible emissions repairs and claim settlement incentive payments.

Tropical Storm Moke: Hawaii is bracing for heavy rain and dangerous surf as the storm is officially declared, with the center expected to pass south of the islands; the Big Island faces the highest flash-flood and mudslide risk, especially windward and southeast areas already hit by Hurricane Lala. Local Emergency Prep: HIEMA and state partners are urging Wahiawa residents downstream of Wahiawa Dam to review evacuation routes as officials release water and install an Aquadam bladder to boost spillway capacity. Storm Recovery: The Hawaiʻi National Guard has wrapped response on Oʻahu and Kauaʻi, while recovery continues on Hawaiʻi Island and Maui. Coral Insurance Milestone: For the first time, a hurricane triggered a payout from a U.S. coral reef insurance policy after Hurricane Lala qualified for rapid payment. Sports—UH & Beyond: Tennis: UH alumnus Andre Ilagan earned a US Open qualifying wildcard; Football: UH long snapper Jack Mowrey is embracing a mentor role. Arts & Community: A Hawaii-based dog food startup “Good Boy Food for Dogs” is expanding in Wahiawa, and local volunteers keep the Top of the City Garden growing.

Tropical Weather: Tropical Storm Moke has formed in the Central Pacific and is expected to pass close to the Big Island, bringing a Flood Watch for heavy rain, flooding risk, and damaging winds—right after Hurricane Lala’s devastation. Local Disaster Response: U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda says the Kau recovery shows Hawaii must rethink how it prepares for, responds to, and recovers from disasters, pointing to major damage and debris-clogged roads around Naalehu Elementary. Public Safety & Privacy: Attorney General Jay Jones won a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from demanding a massive database of CDL drivers’ personal information and threatening funding over it. Federal Funding Fight: Attorney General William Tong joined a multistate coalition challenging illegal immigration-enforcement conditions tied to public safety grants, including Byrne JAG funding. Travel & Connectivity: Verizon says it’s staging backup power, satellite messaging support, and customer relief as another storm threat develops. Volcano Monitoring: Kīlauea’s summit eruption is paused, with USGS field technicians highlighted for keeping near-real-time monitoring running.